March 31, 2026, 2:25 p.m. CT

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t view the parting of ways with quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson as a negative development, but rather as a simple change in direction.

Johnson, who previously held the title of quarterbacks coach and had a previous working relationship with Pro Bowler C.J. Stroud before his time in Houston, was once thought of as a rising star who eventually could take over as a full-time play-caller. Some even viewed him as a promising replacement for Bobby Slowik following his firing in 2024.

But given Stroud’s underwhelming playoff play and the inability to move past the divisional round for a third straight season, Ryan believed the Texans‘ quarterback room needed a fresh voice. While Johnson did do several great things in three seasons, change was necessary if results were going to differ for the franchise in 2026.

“For me, it’s ‘How can we help C.J. the best?’” Ryans told reporters at the NFL’s annual league meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday. “Maybe it’s a change of voice. Who is leading that room? Who is really giving him that information? Who is coaching him up? Can that move the needle a little bit more? So everything that we do, from my perspective as a coach, a lot of tough decisions have to happen, and a lot of people don’t always agree with it and that’s OK.”

Stroud, who enters a crucial fourth year with the franchise, struggled in the postseason. After a disastrous outing in the wild-card round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stroud tossed four interceptions in the divisional round loss against the New England Patriots, marking the sixth time in franchise history that the team would be knocked out in the second weekend.

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Johnson, who interviewed for multiple offensive coordinator positions, eventually elected to mutually part ways with Houston and look for a fresh start. Since his departure, the former Texas A&M coach has landed on his feet, joining Nick Siriani’s staff with Philadelphia.

Ryans, who has since internally promoted offensive assistant Jerry Schuplinski to Johnson’s old role, has no ill will toward Johnson and wishes him a promising career. The reality? Decisions like this are often needed to change the immediate outlook for any promising young player.

And the move was made for the betterment of the franchise.

“It’s my role to really make sure the Texans are in the best position as we can be in,” Ryans said. “So change has to happen for that. And hopefully change helps us.” 

The Texans have eight picks in next month’s NFL Draft.